Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-26
OLD TINE WASHINGTON.
Leaves from the Diary Of the Late
Nicholas CallAn.

Leaves from the Diary of the Late
Nicholas CallAn.
THE CITY IN ITS EARLY DAYs-ITs SPRINGS
Markets FIRE DEPARTMENT, BANKS, &C-rHE
RECEPTION TO GEN. JACKSON AND THE AQUEpucr
CEREMONIES.
Through the courtesy OF DR.. Cornelius Y. Y. Cal
Ian, son OF the late Nicholas Callan. a STAR re-
porter has been allowed to look over the diary and
manuscripts left by his father. These papers con-
| tain some interesting "reminiscences OF the early
days OF the city. Mr.. Callan was seventy-nine
years OF age when he died, few months ago. and
had passed all Of his long life in this CITY, He was
born on street; he lived there almost continu-
ously during his whole life and he died there His
business brought him into contact with men and
Identified him with many Of the public events in
the history OF the city. For many years he was
notary public and commissioner OF deeds for the
different states, and for fourteen years he was
member OF the city council. During the past forty
years he Kept q diary, but he used 1t more as a
record OF dates than events relying for the latter
exact even in his last days Much that was ex-
tremely valuable In connection with the history
or the city died with him, and the diary which
he lett Deh1nd has more Of a personal than public
value. From entries scattered here and there
suppiemented oy some manuscript sketches, the
following "reminiscences have been collected:
HIS FATHERS COMING TO WASHINGTON.
MY father, who participated In the Irish re-
belion, was held as prisoner of war in his native
town OF DundOck, but having been educated as q
surveyor, and being an excellent clerk. he was
allowed some liberties With one OF his daughters
ne Hade MS escape, and coming to this country
settled at Trenton, n. j., In 1908 He had known
Thomas Hurry in the old country, and knew that
that he was In Washington Father wrote to Mr.
hurry Statlng his circumstances, and in reply was
informed by Mr.: Hurty that he had a position as a
SCHOOL teacher for him II he would accept. This
was agreeable to my father, and he came here In
1903 and took the position Of assistant teacher in
richard Whites academy, which was located on
the corner OF nth and streets where the resi-
dence OF Judge Cox Is now located. There was
then large frame school house there. In Decem-
Der, 1906 father opened a private school on
street. between 11th and 18th Streets in the house
which is still standing, and is owned by Dr. Toner:
Here was born Father kept school there until
1909 when he moved TO the house where now
live, 1432 street. He continued his school until
after the war OF 1872, when he accepted an ONCE
under the government.
AFTER THE CITY WAS BURNED.
Very soon after the invasion OF the city by the
British, President Madison convened Congress in
extra session, which was held in the building
known as Blodgetts hotel then standing on the
sPoo Mherg Inc general post once BUILDING now
Ing 1t had been purchased by the United States for
the use of the patent Office and the general post
sion Congress, after considerable discussion, or
dered the rebuilding of all the public buildings
and decided that the city should continue to be
the permanent seat Of government. Some OF the
enterprfsing citizens or the District erected on
Capitol Hill building and rented 1t to the gov
eminent and these the two Houses met until proper
accommodations were furnished in the capitol In
this building, which In later years was known as
President and AFTER the inaugural ceremonies he
mounted temporary platform which had been
erected In the capitol enclosure and there pro-
many thousands OF his fellow citizens. Mr.. Jeffer-
son, Mr.. Madison, Mr.. Monroe and Mr.. John
Quincy Adams resided in this city the time they
jackson was elected he was at his home, the Her.
mtage, In Tennessee.
RECEPTION TO GEN. JACKSON.
In the month Of February, 1899, Gen. jackson
started from his home for this city. His numerous
friends were determined to give him public re-
ceptiOn upon his entrance into the District. They
therefore watched his progress Finally 1t was
reported that he had arrived at Freder1cktown, in
and there was considerable doubt as to his move
ments- His friend, John H. Eaton, who was a
reach Rockville on the 10th. and keeping his own
counsel, he went to that village in private con-
veyance, and there meeting the general quietly
escorted him to this city. Some pieces Of ordnance
were stationed on the Heights OF Georgetown to
welcome the President-elecJ and to announce his
arrival to the citizens The streets were thronged
with expectant citizens, but as the day wore on
and he did not come there was great uncertainty
Gen. John V. Van Ness, the chairman of the CEN
tral committee, mounted his horse and rode to-
wards Georgetown to learn, II possible, something
definite. When on Pennsylvania ave-, near George
81 Eaton na
passed the men In charge OF the guns without
their knowing that it contained the President
Ness rode along by the carriage, and the entire
party proceeded to the National hotel where
thousands OF the citizens repaired and offered
their congratulations. Gen. Jackson was 1naugu-
rated on the following 4th OF March, on the east
ern portico OF the Capitol in the presence OF 49,
quarters at the hotel to the Capitol where be took
the oath OF Office and read his inaugural address,
He then mounted a horse and rode to the Execu-
tive mansion, hat In hand, his head towering over
the heads OF the thrOng and the air resounding
with the shouts and plaudits OF the multitudes
that lined the streets.
The MODE OF ELECTNG MAYORS
The city Of washington was incorporated by
Congress in the year 1901. The charter provided
that the mayor should be appointed by the Presi-
dent and the councils should be elected by the
registered voters and by the general ticket. After
and divided themselves into two bOards-the f1rst
and second boards OF councils. The first mayor OF
the city was Robert Brent, who held that
the members OF councils also served without
pay. In the year 1912 the charter was amended
and each ward was allotted TWO D Aldermen e and
three counctlmen. The councils were given the
privilege OF electing the mayor, and in this way
the following were elected: Daniel Rapine, Jas d.
Blake, Benjamin GraySOn Orr, and Samuel n
SmallwoOd. In 1920 the charter was again
amended am and the citizens were allowed to elect
mayor at the first election held under the amended
charter, and he was succeeded by Thomas Car
berry, Roger c. Weightnan, Joseph Gales. W. W.
Seaton and other distinguished citizens. MI.
smallw0od was the only mayor who died while in
Office r G. Weightman and James g. Berrett
were the only mayors who resigned that Office.
THE EARLY CITY WATER SUPPLY
During the mayoralty Of Mr. Brent a spring OF
water was discovered In square 376 and the water
was collected into reservoir built OF sand stone
which was located on street, between 9th and
10Th streets The water was conveyed In bored
logs to Pennsylvania avenue at the corner OF 18th
street On the capstones Of this reservoir was in
scribed the words, Erected by the voluntary con-
tributions OF the citizens OF Washington during
the mayoralty OF Robert Brent" In bringing f
street TO its proper grade, this spring was a6an-
doned but at the request OF the Society OF the Old
est Inhabitants TO the late board OF public works
the reservoir was preserved and Is now at the Ma.
sonic temple. Another supply OF excellent water
was discovered in the year 1922 on 18th street.
between l and streets. This spring supplied
nearly all the water consumed by the residents of
the Old I'd ward. Some years afterwards another
spring was found In Franklin square, and from
thence the Presidents house, the Treasury, war
NAVY 6pDdrfmpnf hntl